Messi's late double sinks Egypt as Argentina survive 3-2 scare
Lionel Messi turned this game on its head in the space of fifteen minutes, dragging Argentina back from the brink to beat Egypt 3-2 in the Round of 16. For most of the match it looked like Egypt might pull off the shock of the tournament, but the champions found a way through when it mattered most.
Egypt led twice through Youssef Ibrahim and Mahmoud Ziko, and looked composed and organised for long stretches, frustrating an Argentina side that never quite got going in open play. Cristian Romero got Argentina back on level terms in the 79th minute with a header, but it was Messi who produced the moment of the match four minutes later, firing home a deflected effort that cannoned in off the crossbar to make it 2-2. Enzo Fernandez then sealed the win deep into stoppage time, capping a wild finish that saw Argentina score three times in the last quarter of an hour.
The goal put Messi back on top of the race for the tournament's Golden Boot, and keeps alive the idea that this could be one of his last World Cup appearances for Argentina, a thought that's been following him through the whole tournament. It also stretches Argentina's unbeaten run to twelve matches, though back-to-back knockout games that needed a late twist, first extra time against Cape Verde and now this comeback, suggest the champions still have work to do if they want to go all the way again.
For Egypt, there's no shame in this one. Reaching the Round of 16 was already a big step for a squad that arrived with modest expectations, and pushing the defending champions this close will only add to a tournament that's already been a success back home. The game also ended on a sour note, with four late yellow cards shown to Egypt players in stoppage time and just after the final whistle, as frustration boiled over in the closing moments.
Argentina now move on to face the winner of Switzerland vs Colombia in the quarterfinals, while Egypt's World Cup journey comes to an end at the Round of 16 stage.